Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Sadeeq's Point Of View.

Ever since my wife died, I had never (not even for once) thought I would fall in love again. Not even in my wildest dream. Want an introduction? I had to know what you all think of me first.

The very first day I saw Husnah, I knew that deep inside, maybe she was the best for me. Scratch that, I only saw her as a sister years back... but after our last encounter days back, I knew I was doomed if she choose to ignore my moves towards her. I could see the pain she was going through in her eyes, I could feel them, feel her pain... why? Because she was already a part of me. MY SOUL!

"Pappy" Salima squeaked beside me, giving me a side kiss. "Are you taking me to my new mummy today?" She asked, giggling.

"Yes angel" I replied, kissing her jaw. "She also has a daughter, her name is Aminah but they call her Amirah".

"Yyeeeyyy" salima jumped up. "She'll be my friend right?"

"Yes angel. She's also cute, just like her mom" I said dreamily, I couldn't help but just imagine us being a family.

"Do you have a picture of her?" Salima asked eagerly.

I nodded in response before bringing out my phone, only to see a message that almost made me want to jump up, right there, right that instant.

"Good morning Abu Salima and Amirah, I hope you had a wonderful night rest with me in your heart, body and soul? If yes, then Alhamdulillah. I missed you. - Asmaa'a".

My Allah, why was my heart beat increasing? I had to hold the center of my heart tightly because it felt like it was going to burst any moment from now. She was surely going to be the end of me, my happiness!

I forgot completely about the photo of Amirah I wanted showing Salima, thus ended up calling Husnah.

"Hey" she said in a hushed tone, "my bad" she added quickly "As salaamu alaikoom".

I chuckled a little before replying her. "Wa alaikis salaam Umm Amirah" I said, smiling.

"Just Umm Amirah?" She asked slowly, I could swear she was pouting that very moment.

"Umm Amirah, zaujatiyy sadeeq" I answered again.

"Ugghh!" was the only answer she gave me, thus she kept quiet. Was she shy? Well, good! I liked shy ladies anyways... Uhmm, scratch that! I just loved ladies who are shy!

"How are you?" I asked.

"You still haven't call me the name I want you to call me with" she replied slowly.

"Really?" I asked, so surprised. "What other name do you prefer being called other than my wife?".

"Is Salima only your daughter?" She asked, sounding hurt. "I just referred to you using them both. Why? Because I thought we were going to be a family. But I guess I'm wrong. Have a nice day". And she ended the call.

'O my God! What have I done? Yeah, she ought to be hurt... who wouldn't be? Had it been I'm the victim here, I can't even demonstrate the type of pain I'll go through'. I pondered.

"I thought we were going to be a family". I replayed those words over and over again, does that mean she was accepting me?

"Pappy" Salima called, as she caught me off guard, "is she my new mom?" She asked, gesturing towards the phone in my hand. Husnah's picture was on my wallpaper.

"Yeah" I nodded, looking at her. "Do you like her?" I asked.

"I'll have to see her before I give in my verdict pappy. I only judge what I see" she answered smiling.

'Oh wow! I have the best daughter in the whole of Nigeria'.

"Can I see Amirah now?" She asked.

"Sure Angel". I quickly swiped through... and showed it to her.

"Ma shaa Allah. She's so cute and young pappy. How old is she?"

"Four, with few months".

"Wow, I'm six years older than her".

"Yes. You'll soon be an official big sis" I said, smiling.

"I guess" she replied giving me a big hug.

"I love you pappy". She said in my ear

"I love you too angel".

*****

"Hamma Abu" she screamed in my ear.

"I'll squeeze you alive fa hussy. I said not to call me Abu again". I replied.

"I love calling you that way" She replied, jumping up.

"Ba kana wasa da ita ba? Ai dole" Hamma Jabir said as he kept munching his noodles.

I could see how her eyes were looking at the noodles dreamily.

"Bro. Bring the noodles let's all eat mana" I said to Jabir.

"Inyeee. Weldon, ehen. I asked if you're going to eat so that I could cook for both of us kace No. Now because this girl with her tiny eyes wants to eat you're telling me to bring it over. Toh naqi din".

"Haba! I'm sorry. Let's all eat mana dude".

"I said 'no' already" he replied picking up his plate and leaving the room.

"I wanto eat noodles" She said crying.

"Shhhhhh. I'll cook one for you. Don't cry please. I hate it when you are crying".

"You're the only one that loves me in this house" She said, making a puppy face. "Will you keep loving me," She asked looking at me "forever?" She added.

"Yes. I promise hussy" I replied.

Husnah's Point Of View.

Ever got that weird feeling like you've known a stranger for eternity? Well, that was exactly what I was going through. With Sadeeq, everything was different. I had weird feelings for him... feelings I had never had for someone... and I couldn't say for sure why, or how. The feeling was just there... it was mutual.

"Mummy" Amirah said, spoiling my happy thoughts. Couldn't she just seemed to understand I was busy?

I was sitting in the garden just to avoid her. But she still got her way to me.

"Mene?" I asked, not looking up from my phone.

"Zanshi bambu" She said, fidgeting with her fingers. She was nervous. I did just that when I was young.

My heart suddenly warmed up at her.

"I am busy right now baby. Later I'll make it for you kinji". I said hugging.

"No. I want it now!" she said, already crying.

"Amirah!" I shouted using all my might. "A wala hakillo koh? A nasta hakillo fa!" (Amirah, are you out of your senses? Be very careful o!).

"Has it become your hobby to shout at her every time?" Sadeeq asked, picking her up.

Behind him stood a cute girl who looked exactly like him. But had some features which weren't his.

I wanted speaking up but I just couldn't. With his intense gaze, I couldn't help but have goosebumps.

"What's wrong baby?" He asked Amirah.

"I want to eat bambu" she replied as she hiccupped.

"Just dambu?" He asked again

"Yesh".

"Let's go out and eat dambu then. Are you coming with us Salima?" He asked his daughter, who by now was sitting beside me.

"No. I want to get to know more about my new Ummi" She replied, looking at me.

"Fine. Take care". And with that, they left.

"As salaamu alaiki yaa Ummi" the little girl said, stretching her little hand for a handshake.

"Wa alaikis salaam salimah" I replied shaking her before giving her a side hug.

"How are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine. You?".

"Good. Alhamdulillah".

We were silent for a while, both of us thinking of different things.

"Do you love my pappy?" I heard her asked.

What!? She wouldn't be serious, right?

"I'm sorry, I just want to know if you're going to make him happy. He went through a lot all alone".

"Why?" I found myself asking.

"My mom died while giving birth. She and the baby all died, same day... same time. I didn't even had the chance to see them one last time. After they left, dad has been emotionally touched, he wouldn't talk to anyone except me... That's when I cried. He was broken. Even though I was young when it all happened, but I grew up to understand his pain. He deserves some happiness now. It's time, and I hope you'll take care of him".

She knew all this? she felt his pain and wanted him to be happy?

She loved her daddy that much to even tell me stuffs about him!

I felt her soft little hands taking mine. "I promise you, you won't regret ever marrying my pappy. I bet he never told you he's a good cook right?" She asked trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"No. He didn't" I answered.

"Well, he's a good cook. Har amala ya iya fa" She said, smiling. "He can also cook tuwo, spaghetti, macaroni, cous_cous, pounded yam and lots more. Will you please marry him?" She asked slowly, her head looking down.

"You want me to marry him?" I asked.

"Yes Ummi" she replied nodding.

"Then I'll marry him Salimah. And I promise to make him Happy. For you angel".

***** ***** *****